Fabrication and formation studies on single-walled CA/NaCS-WSC microcapsules
Qing-Xi Wu1, Dong-Qiang Lin2, Shan-Jing Yao2
1Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Biotechnology of Anhui Province, Integrated Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Abstract:
The micron-sized calcium alginate/sodium cellulose sulfate-water soluble chitosan (CA/NaCS-WSC) microcapsules were prepared by membrane emulsification method using sodium alginate (NaAlg), NaCS and WSC as raw materials. The CA/NaCS microspheres prepared dispersed well and held spherical shape with an emulsifier volume ratio of 7:3 (Span 80:Tween 80) and a concentration of cross-linking agent of 1.5% (w/v) calcium chloride and 5% (w/v) sodium chloride. The CA/NaCS-WSC microcapsules had a spherical shape with average diameter of 62.36±13.87μm. A fluorescent ring could be seen obviously on the surface of CA/NaCS-WSC microcapsules under confocal microscope, when WSC was labeled by fluorescein isothiocyanate. The discussion on the formation studies implied that Ca(2+) could diffuse into the droplets of NaAlg/NaCS forming CA/NaCS microspheres, while NaCS could react with WSC forming a polyelectrolyte complexes film. The microcapsules prepared with typical wall-capsule/core structure could be used to develop micron-sized drug delivery carriers.
